In today's society, we love to play the comparison game and social media makes it very easy to engage in this tortuous act. We look at others and instead of seeing our uniqueness and owning our truth, we see everything that we lack.

They're better looking, smarter, more successful and the list goes on. I use to compare myself to others especially regarding my "situationships" and relationships. I found myself being insecure at times but I came to the realization that I can only be myself and within that, lies my power.

There will always be someone who is "better," that's just life but when you know that you are your only competition, the qualities that others embody will no longer bother you but empower you.

Do not let this world fool you into thinking that you need to be a certain body type, have a certain hair texture, wear certain clothes, live in a certain state etc. The only thing you need to do is BE YOU! Somebody gonna feel it and those who don't, they don't matter.

Can you imagine how boring and bland the world would be if we were all the same? It baffles me why people would get on social media and bash others for being themselves instead of praising their uniqueness.

The fact that someone doesn't like you or your style should not take away from who you are, it just means they have different taste. Erika James (writer of 50 Shades of Grey) was criticized for her writing and instead of giving up and giving in, she kept at it and published 50 Shades of Grey at age 48! She has sold millions of copies and this would not have been achieved if she listened to the critics.

Recognize and embrace your flaws so you can learn from them. Sometimes, it takes a little polishing to truly shine. - Kanye West

Too many of us allow the projections of others to dim our light. We let them tell us that we're not "good enough" and too many people are doing what we desire to do.

Regardless of how many people may be doing it, no one is you and that is what will set you apart. They don't think like you, they don't write like you, they don't have your story, they don't do hair like you. Your mission in life should be [to be] the best version of yourself, not the clone of someone else.

I hate to hear people say, "I wish I was talented like.., I wish I was pretty like..etc." You can wish as much as you want but you will never be anyone but you so you may as well own your situation. If God wanted you to be anything more than you are, He would have created you with those abilities. Also, hard work, persistence and determination goes a very long way, you just need to believe in yourself.

Stop comparing yourself to others and focus on what makes you unique, special and valuable. What you believe is what you will become and how you treat yourself is how others will treat you. Never be afraid to eat alone if others do not appreciate what you bring to the table.